Chapter 15
Lelouch didn't smile seeing Euphy return with Nunnally and Milly with a large smile planted on her face. He had an idea that he was not going to like what she was going to say. Cornelia would not appreciate him doing anything that would endanger her beloved sister. Bringing her here without talking to the woman was already a provocation for her wrath and he was expecting it. The Prince closed his book and folded his legs. Viletta was sitting just away from him – she was watching the news.
"You had fun," He said.
"I have been missing it my whole life," Euphy said with a content look on her face. She was dressed like a normal person. She slid onto a sofa and faced Lelouch. "You should have joined us, brother. You would have enjoyed it too."
"I had some business to deal with," Lelouch said.
"You're all too serious, Lulu. Then again, we always had force you to join us."
"I wouldn't want to join you with that devil around. I have been tormented enough." Lelouch said glaring at Milly. She had indeed made him experience many humiliating moments. But the same can be said about his sisters.
Nunnally giggled just thinking about how Lelouch ranted and complained about Milly. "I wonder how things will be if you really end up marrying her, brother," she said with a soft smile. There was a bit of silence in the room after those words left Nunnally's lips. Her brows rose up as she felt the silence. "Did I say something wrong?" She asked.
"What do you mean marry?" Euphemia asked, looking around the room. "Why am it the only one who seems oblivious to this?"
Lelouch sighed.
"It is nothing Euphy. There is no marriage as things stand." He glared at Milly, daring her to say something. This time, she kept her mouth shut.
"The day was long, I'll see you tomorrow, Nunnally," Milly kissed the Princess on her forehead and then departed without saying another word.
Not wanting to be asked about Milly, Lelouch turned to Euphy to ask her about what she wanted. "You had that look that said you wanted to ask something. Out with it."
Euphemia stared at him for a moment before speaking. "I will say it later. But for now, we want to share about our day with you. Nunnally could not stop about how she wanted to tell her brother about a wonderful time and hope that he joins us next time."
Lelouch smiled and closed the book he was reading. "It seems like you had a good day, Nunnally," he said in a warm tone. "I hadn't accounted for you to have something to share with me because I wanted to depart now with Viletta. But if you wish for us to stay, we can do that."
"Please stay."
Lelouch stayed.
Viletta was silent for a couple of moments as she wondered how she was going to say what she wanted to say. After a couple of moments, she just went out with it.
"Milly is the one who kissed you…" she stated. "Are you going to end up marrying her?" She asked.
"If things work out well and in the future. I am not thinking about marriage now. Romance is something a little further away from my mind," Lelouch said. "And you?"
"What of me?" Viletta knew what he was asking her but she didn't want to say. When he just stared at her, she responded. "I have not thought about things."
"Highly unlikely."
"What makes you say that?" Viletta asked in a curious tone.
"You once mentioned that marrying a noble had been an option to become a noble but you refused to go that line because you wanted to earn it. The easiest way for you was to join military. But while you rejected the idea of marrying high, you did think about marriage at that point."
That was true but it was not something she kept thinking about now. There wasn't even anyone she liked. Most probably if there was someone she liked, she'd think about that future but for now, she had yet to even become a noble. Lelouch had said he would knight her but that hasn't happened. They had been busy lately. There was always something that had to be done – something that Lelouch was doing.
"I haven't been thinking about it since I have no one."
Lelouch raised an eye brow. "It is certainly not because you lack suitors. I heard a couple of men in Portugal professing their love for you. I think you have also caught the eye of Major James and Albert."
"They don't know me – they just like what they see."
"Only you can the judge of that."
Romance was still not an area Lelouch could claim to have mastered. Talking to Milly even drained him. He dreaded those talks and preferred being occupied with his work than thinking about what would happen if the Emperor approved his request. Maybe a little part of him wished the Emperor could say no. Milly would be sad – no doubt. And he would have failed in his promise to do something for her.
Lelouch didn't say anything else to Viletta and she too fell silent. The silence was only broken when Euphy walked up to the lounge, and requested to speak to him.
"I'll excuse myself," Viletta said before departing, leaving the royals alone.
Lelouch stared at his sister, seeing her slightly serious expression. She wanted to ask him of something. A frown graced his lips. Couldn't she just be satisfied that he brought her here? Whatever it was, it was going to give him a headache and he already had other issues to deal with – he didn't need this one.
He released a long sigh and leaned back for comfort.
"Out with it." He said a little sternly.
Euphy smiled. "Don't be like that, brother."
"You want something from me. Just say it."
"I've enjoyed my time here. Being with Nunnally and the other girls has been wonderful. I want to experience more of it. I want to experience more of the normal life that you and Nunnally experienced. Only Milly and Nunnally know I am a Princess and that makes things simple. I'm just a normal girl here. Do you know how much I have craved for that? I know I won't have that as I grow, but I want to have the experience. It should be helpful in the future. Besides, you get to see life and how things work from a different perspective."
She was not wrong about the last part. The fundamental issue with most royals was that they saw things with the arrogant and royal filtered eyes. They did not see things from other side. They have not experienced the pain and sorrow the other side feels. Such a experience to Euphy would help – perhaps even with her naivety.
"You want to stay here for a little while longer."
"Yes. It would also make Nunnally happy. She won't be alone anymore."
"I cannot make that call." Though, for Nunnally's happiness, this would be a good situation. His sister would have a childhood friend with her. She would have someone to connect with. She wouldn't be so miserable without him.
"I know."
"Why are you telling me? You're not expecting me to talk to Cornelia for you, are you?"
Euphy smiled innocently. "Please, brother…"
Lelouch frowned deeply. It was not because he was against the idea. Nunnally would be better off staying with her sister. Euphemia had always been her true friend and of course, for Euphy, it would teach her about life and she would see the other side of the world of the living she has yet to see. It was the thought if facing Cornelia with such news that made Lelouch frown. His elder sister was not going to be pleased with him. Hell, she'd even accuse him of being behind the plot. When it came to her younger sister, Cornelia forgave no one. If he did something that hurt Euphy, his sister would most certainly hold a grudge – and that is if she is unable to hurt him.
"You are asking something difficult, Euphy…" Lelouch admitted in a quiet tone.
"I know, but you'll do it, right? If not for me, for Nunnally. She gets lonely here and you are soon going to go away. Who knows when you'll be able to come back?"
"Stop stroking into those fears," Lelouch said a bit sternly. "I will try to speak to her but I can't promise you anything…" and he wasn't going to say it immediately. He would bind his time and wait for the right moment.
"I'm sure you'll be able to convince her brother. You are good with words."
"Flattery?" Lelouch asked. "But you know Cornelia doesn't care about reason when it comes to you…" he could only think of blackmail. But as long as Euphy's situation remained secret, there should be no danger and he would have to think about the terrorists in the area because Cornelia was going to bring it up the moment he brought up Euphy's request.
Viletta looked away from the window of the limousine driving them towards the Viceroy Palace. Her eyes turned towards the Eleventh Prince, who had his eyes firmly on his laptop. His was very 'agreeing' to the demands on his sister. Nunnally also seemed to be the one thing that was able to make him act differently. She probably got whatever she wanted. From what Jeremiah has said, it was not the Ashford's who gave Nunnally the best care, it was her beloved brother. He had taken care of everything. For someone who was disabled, it must have taken a lot of effort for him to make sure she got everything she wanted.
"Do you have something on your mind, Viletta?" Lelouch asked, without looking away from his laptop.
"You seem to give your sisters whatever they want. The royal family is not exactly known for being affectionate…"
"Not everyone is the same. Just because some members of the Britannian royal family are cold hearted vultures doesn't make us all vultures. But of course, the majority are rather unpleasant. You will eventually see it when we have all gathered at one place – there will be no affection. It becomes more of a slaughter house."
Viletta considered her words carefully before asking. "The throne?"
"There is just not the mutual love," Lelouch said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I do everything to avoid those I don't get along with. Some of my siblings can be rather vindictive." He paused and glanced at her. "Why the sudden interest?"
"I was just wondering if you got along with other siblings as well."
Lelouch stared at Viletta with an expressionless look on his face. "You're not being honest," he said to her. "You know I don't get along with my other siblings. You know the history. It is just that I get long with those who matter."
Viletta was silent. After a moment, she apologized. But Lelouch waved it off as nothing. "Is it envy?"
Despite being born of a commoner mother, Lelouch was still smart and he earned favor in the right places. The Britannia principle was that those born of royal and noble birth were superior and the others weak. It must truly hurt those of noble birth to have Lelouch sitting in a place of honor. There was also the rumor that before she was assassinated, Marianne had been the Emperor's favorite. It still does raise questions as to why he never raised hell to find whomever killed her. Not unless he knew who did it. For some reason, Viletta could understand why a young Lelouch had decided to rush over to the Emperor to demand that he do something about the murder of his mother. It was still even harsh for the Emperor to exile children of his own to a place he knew fairly well he was going to invade.
"Yes and they just don't like me," Lelouch closed his eyes for a moment. "Well as long as they don't do anything, it is nothing to worry about. It will become a problem if they try to sabotage us."
"Do you think it will go that far?" Viletta asked with surprise.
Lelouch smiled. It was a bitter smile. But he didn't say anything in response to Viletta. His smile was more than enough to satisfy her curiosity.
Viceroy Palace
"Lelouch," Clovis called his brother from the passages of his palace. The 11th prince was walking with Jeremiah and Viletta.
Lelouch stopped and turned around to face the Prince. He couldn't help but frown seeing his brother at this time. He didn't want Clovis anywhere near his world. If possible, he'd have liked to just disappear without the prince seeing him. Of course, he could not show his displeasure or else he would displease his sponsors. He thought of it with contempt. It was ridiculous that he had to even depend on his self-serving brother for something important to his ambitions.
"Clovis," Lelouch started in a low tone. "I was told you were quite busy today."
"I was but cancelled all my meetings to accommodate something that came up," Clovis said in a dismissive tone.
Of course his brother would not have problems dismissing people and disappointing them. He was the Viceroy and everyone else had to dance to his tune. It was perhaps safe to say that he was rather good at making people move as he pleased. He was indeed good with the theatrics. Then again, he should not say. Theatrics seemed to form some core in every one within the Imperial family.
"What came up?"
"I heard that you going to be doing something interesting with Earl Lloyd. And so I thought I should come with you."
"Since when do you care about Knightmare frames, Clovis? You've never expressed any interest in them. I didn't think you would want to take part in this."
"I still have no interest in them but I was funding this project. It would be irresponsible of me to just give you money and not see what you are doing with it."
Lelouch almost laughed upon hearing that. But he contained himself. A smile did manage to slip out nevertheless. "You take responsibility now?"
Clovis knew this was going to cause some issues. After all, Lelouch had never been forthcoming with all the details on what the Earl was building. He'd never pushed for it but something Schneizel had said made him curious. Besides, if this was something Lelouch was willing to ask help, then it must be something important to him. Clovis would not want to miss the opportunity to lay claim over this and some credit as well. Maybe he didn't hate doing it but he was going to remind his brother that his money had gone there to help build his project.
"Let us not make this an issue, brother. I am going with you."
Not budging, Lelouch realized. "Follow us then, but at least show some interest in what we will be doing," he said before turning away from the Prince.
"We will take my limousine. I am not driving in that unmarked car of yours." Clovis said with disdain. "I don't even know how you feel getting in such a car, brother."
"My travelling arrangements will not change. If you want to go with your limousine, you will find us there. You already know where, anyway."
After a couple of minutes, Clovis agreed to follow on his own. Lelouch let loose of a long breath as his guards led him out of the palace.
"That was unexpected," Jeremiah said. "You think Prince Schneizel had something to do with it? It was originally his project and ever since we took over, we have been a little secretive about progress."
"I'm sure my brother knows what happens there." Lelouch said with a slight shake of his head. "But I would not be surprised if he didn't let it slip to Clovis."
"Is it going cause an issue?"
"No. We have more things to concern ourselves with. But this does make it clear that if we ask Clovis for anything, he will want to poke his nose in our business. We cannot have that."
"Indeed."
The rivalry between the siblings was becoming more and more apparent with each passing day. Viletta had always figured that there could be something there. But it was nothing that ever displayed in public. Everyone was out to surpass the other. It was perhaps a race to the throne or the second best seat possible. But having been around Lelouch, Viletta had come to accept that he did not settle for second best – he always went for the number one spot. All these projects were to help reach where he wants. Nothing was said as yet, but there was indeed something happening in the shadows. Jeremiah probably knew.
She'd thought the problems were only with those who didn't like Lelouch – not with those who got along. But then again, Lelouch has never had too many kind things to say about Prince Clovis' character.
"Let us see if this thing with Lloyd will be worth the trouble. But at least we have confirmed that Clovis will be a problem for future developments…" Lelouch said. "He also cannot be trusted to keep his mouth shut," not unless it was a secret that could save his life or from ruin.
"I'm a little excited about it."
Viletta shook her head. "You are just happy that you ate going to get inside a Knightmare frame," she said with a stare.
"I can't deny that," Jeremiah quickly responded. "Don't you miss it as well? When we were still with the Purist Faction, we were always on kmfs, not worrying about politics."
"That is a strange thing to say, Lord Jeremiah. That is considering that the Purist Faction was a political organ that operated for the pure purpose of politics backed by Lords in Military," Viletta said.
Jeremiah stared at Viletta for a long minute before responding. "Don't try to ruin my mood, Viletta."
Lloyd's Hangar
Lelouch raised an eyebrow when he saw Clovis already at the hangar. If he was indeed driving, he should not have arrived before him. And he had been thinking that maybe his brother would get held back by someone that forces him to cancel. Maybe he should have engineered some trouble for Clovis, just to keep him busy. He would have just needed to make a phone call and things could have been set up. He sighed, this was what he got with his narcissistic brother. There was just no avoiding the issue here.
Clovis was standing with both Lloyd and Cecile. He smiled when Lelouch arrived with his guards.
"Highness… you should have told me that your brother was coming today… I would have prepared something of his taste…" Lloyd said casually, grinning at Lelouch.
"My brother surprised me as well," Lelouch said. He then shared Lloyd's smile. "I don't think a camera would have been suitable for this type of environment. We want to keep things secret."
"They could have just rolled the cameras and take a glance at my Lancelot while his Highness lists its capabilities," Lloyd said.
"I'm sure just for you to get some sponsors," Lelouch said with a slight shake of his head. "You flew?"
Clovis nodded. "I didn't want to miss anything. You know, I was afraid that you'd start without me. But I am here and we can start. Lloyd has said some good things about his pet project. I honestly think this has just been some expensive toy but I don't know anything about machines."
Lelouch stared for a moment. His brother could afford to be careless at such a time. "They are not just machines they are the reason that Britannia is what it is today and if it is going to maintain that position, we need to advance our capabilities. And that is where Lloyd comes in." The 11th turned to Lloyd. "Is everything ready?"
"Of course!" Lloyd responded with barely hidden excitement.
"Jeremiah, get ready as well…" Lelouch said before following Lloyd to a secure place. Cecile, Lloyd and Viletta followed him.
"Be ready to be impressed, your Highness!" Lloyd exclaimed, looking at Lelouch. He was the one with the interest to finance and his other projects kept him busy. The Third Prince had something he was doing but had no interest in Knightmare frames and so, Lloyd didn't really care for his opinion. The only opinion that mattered was Lelouch's.
Jeremiah looked at the controls of the Gloucester with a wide grin. Since their interesting battle in the lands of the EU, there hadn't been that much of action. Although the Knightmare frame was still experimental, Jeremiah didn't have any problem in wrecking it. Lloyd annoyed him anyway. He would most certainly cry the white frame was destroyed. In Britannia's military arsenal, the Gloucester was the most advanced frame and Jeremiah liked to think he was an ace of a pilot. He hasn't lost that many battles. Viletta did get more kills than him the last time around, but he could forget about it now. Lloyd claimed this was a seventh generation frame, he could boast about wrecking it.
He was armed with an assault rifle. But he didn't need to start firing here unless he wanted to have stray bullets go after the two Princes observing. Jeremiah dropped the rifle and fixed his stare at the white frame.
"Prepare yourself to face Lord Jeremiah!" the Margrave shouted with excitement.
There was no need for anyone to tell him to start the battle, he started dashing towards the white frame. He grinned when the frame moved toward him as well. He never got to throw the first hit as the white frame jumped up into the air. For a moment, Jeremiah cursed himself for dropping the rifle. He could have started shooting the frame as it had made itself such a target. The Lancelot twisted around in midair before lashing its right leg towards his frame. Jeremiah had the Gloucester raise both his hands to block the kick. When it connected, his frame slid back slightly.
"Oh?"
He grinned, that was some strength from the Lancelot.
He watched it move away from him and then released one slash harken. The Lancelot sped towards it before kicking it away. Jeremiah lunged forward. Upon reaching the white frame, he threw a punch straight towards its chest. The punch never connected as the Lancelot moved back quickly in a speed that left him slightly surprised.
The Lancelot didn't waste time before lunging toward him once more. It once again spun around, its white right leg moving towards him. Jeremiah was smart this time around: he ducked under the kick and watched it pass just above him before sliding down, sweeping its right foot on the ground. He managed to hit the Lancelot causing it to fall stumble back.
Jeremiah tried to pummel the Lancelot while it was off balance but it released a slash harken that wrapped around his Gloucester's right hand. He tried pulling the Lance toward him and it allowed him. When he tried smacking it with his left, it released a blue barrier that blocked his attack.
"Fuck!"
Jeremiah cursed loudly when the Lancelot kneed him, doing some damage to his frame. It was not all, the frame moved fluidly as it twisted around and slamming at kick on his frame's face, sending it flying backwards in heap.
In anger, Jeremiah picked up his assault rifle but before he could load it, Lelouch's voice stopped him on his tracks.
"That is enough, Jeremiah."
Jeremiah frowned. "But I have yet to lose, Your Highness. The speed of the Lancelot just caught me by surprise."
"And I am saying I have seen enough. Leave it and come back here," Lelouch ordered before cutting off the line.
He turned to face his brother – who looked bored more than anything. He smiled. What had he expected? This was not war or one of his charades with cameras and people clapping hands for him. It was a showcase of the strength of a Knightmare frame. Perhaps this would deter him from tying come see again.
"Is that it?" Clovis asked.
"What did you expect?"
"Fire works, something special… something worth the price tag of that thing. There isn't anything that the Lancelot did that I found new of surprising," Clovis stated with indifference.
"Now now, Prince Clovis. Perhaps you are not sui-" Cecile hit Lloyd before he could say anything that would offend the Prince of Britannia and potentially put their project in danger.
"Oww!" Lloyd cried, holding the side if his chest. "What did I do?"
Lelouch just shook his head. "That is what is all about…" he said to Clovis. "You are not satisfied."
"Of course not," Clovis was quick to say before starting to retreat. "I will see you when you return to the palace. I'm not going to stick around to see this… and hear you bore me with the technicalities. You can just fill me in when you return…"
Lelouch did not offer a response to this. He just watched his brother leave silently before turning to face someone he'd never thought he would see again. When Lloyd told him that it was this person piloting the frame, he had been surprised. To think that the son of the former Prime Minister of Japan would become an honorary Britannia when his country was put under such conditions. He was now a nobody. Then again, this person had always been different.
"Suzaku…" Lelouch smiled, seeing friend from the past. "You survived."
Suzaku smiled. "You became a Prince of Britannia again," he said. "But it is good to see you again, Lelouch…" he received a glare from Jeremiah, he corrected himself. "Your Highness…"
Lelouch waved it off. "You are working with Lloyd from now… that will be your Knightmare frame…" he said. "We will catch up some other time. I'm sure Nunnally will be happy to know that you are alive," he said in Japanese. "Villetta, take his details… Jeremiah, follow us…"
"Yes, Your Highness…"
"Ah, Lord Jeremiah is pouting…" Lloyd started in an amused tone. "Is it because you lost to my Lancelot?"
"I didn't lose!"
"It looked like you did to me and an honorary Britannian who has had no special training," Lloyd said, laughing, clearly enjoying himself.
Jeremiah glared at Lloyd for a moment before looking at Lelouch. "You'll allow me to regain my honor by allowing me to fight that thing without any restrictions, right?"
"Let's see, yes… before we leave. We will go to a remote place to test the Lancelot's full capabilities…"
Lloyd put a hand on his chin. "My, don't tell me that you stopped it because you didn't want Prince Clovis to know anymore about this..?"
Lelouch didn't respond to this. They arrived at a place that seemed like a working station. He settled down gracefully on a chair and faced Lloyd. "Schneizel does not know about the other work you are doing for me, does he?"
"The Liberator?" Lloyd smiled. "Of course not. I wouldn't betray you like that. We keep the work secret. Besides, if I said a anything, you'd kick me out and I'd like to say the Liberator will be my adopted child…"
This was his lifeline. His only way to the top. He certainly couldn't compete with Schneizel in terms of resources. His brother had Cambodia. There was still much to get out of there, but of course, his brother would never make it easy. They were connected but they did not share everything. It was at this moment that Lelouch realized that perhaps playing politics would not be a bad idea. He needed to play politics because without it, he would not get any sponsors and the developments for his things would not go any further. The work on the Liberator would get stuck to just experimental and nothing practical.
"I want to put in everything I have into this. But that means I'll require you to put everything on hold and work on completing the Liberator. The first part of it anyway. You will work on the parts while it is flying," Lelouch said.
"Are things heating up in Pendragon? You want something to show those people back at Homeland that you are not just some dead Prince leeching off Prince Schneizel. Maybe you can win yourself some friends if you do manage to get this right. I have to-"
"That is enough Lloyd," Jeremiah warned. "Leave such matters to your thoughts. We don't need your opinion about such matters… your role here is to help the Ashford Foundation build the Liberator."
Lloyd was not wrong. With Schneizel play on having him enter the politics with the EU, he has opened up a door for more scrutiny and public eye. It would not do well for his reputation if people thought he could stand on his own without Schneizel. He needed to show his own toys and compete with the others. And this politics with Schneizel would help him enter this stage and walk away with what he needed.
"Once the Lancelot goes out in public, it will be my knightmare frame. When the Military Generals see it, I will push for them to give more money to make mass productions versions of it. You must be prepared because you might end up having to spend some time by my side, especially once the Liberator takes off," Lelouch said.
"I can't say no to that," Lloyd responded with a grin. "But are you sure you will work it out with Military Generals? While we work in Research and Development, we know that politics work there, especially when it comes to Britannia's purse… well, you have the Prime Minister, he can make some rounds for you?"
Favors from his elder brother? Lelouch didn't want to owe much to Schneizel that he would end up not being able to move independently. He didn't want to end up being the puppet. If he could muster enough political power, he could move things without Schneizel. He could start with Clovis' people and manage to work around things. He was in a position to understand this areas situation better and far more than what Clovis could muster because of his narrowed perception. But with that meant he would have to disguise some of his motives and manipulate his way.
He smiled… but that was how things worked wasn't it?
"You need not concern yourself with such details. I will work out something…" Lelouch said. "I intend to make miracles… my battle with EU forces in Portugal has been labeled is luck by some and miracle by some. If it is a miracle, I intend to show Britannia many more miracles."
"I can't wait to see those miracles~" Lloyd responded with a clap of his hands. "So, how did you get the Sakuradite to the Ashford Foundation?" He asked, curiously.
"You ask too many questions, Lloyd." Jeremiah warned the Earl. "I would be careful if I were you. You needn't stick your nose into things that don't concern you."
"Ohh, that is a little scary," Lloyd responded with nonchalance before turning to Lelouch once more. "So?"
Lelouch just shook his head. The Earl was certainly an interesting person. The fact that he would even allow Suzaku to pilot the Lancelot despite being a Number meant that he didn't care about social status. But Lelouch had already known. Lloyd didn't pay much attention to social statuses after all.
"The Ashfords did try to get you to marry their daughter, Milly, isn't?" Lelouch suddenly asked, without responding to Lloyd's question. "But as far as your interest goes, you only wanted to get your hands on the Ganymede, yes?"
Lloyd nodded a bit vigorously. "I thought if I was working with them now, I would get my hands on that technology, but they are not letting now. I haven't been insistent because of the work with the Liberator and the Lancelot, but the thought still lingers," he smiled, leaning closer to Lelouch. "Are you going to give me access to it?"
Lelouch smiled. "Who knows?"
"My Lord," Jeremiah started, looking at Lelouch as they drove back into the city. "Was it fine to shed some light into our activities to Lloyd? He is only interested in his projects and doesn't seem like someone who can be trusted."
Maybe it looked that way but sometimes you needed to look deeper into a person. Maybe if Schneizel came with a bigger offer, Lloyd would decide to turn his back on him but that would not happen. His brother only needed Lloyd to finish working on the Float System and the defensive system. The reason that he even gave away a fine piece as the Lancelot just meant that he didn't need it. He had something bigger he was working on. Well, with Cambodia seemingly working for him, and other connections, his brother had plenty of assets. But he needed Lloyd. And perhaps that is why Schneizel gave him up.
"It is fine, Lloyd already knows what we are building anyway," Lelouch said with a shrug of his shoulders. "More importantly, I want to know what is up in Cambodia, the Toromo Institute especially. For that reason, Viletta, I want you to contact Sergeant Michael. We have to meet him along with Major Albert when we return to Pendragon."
Major Albert, that man. Viletta frowned slightly just thinking about him. She didn't hate him. He was actually a very good person and a great leader to his man, but it was the affection he showered towards her that displeased him.
"I will contact them," she said without displaying any of her thoughts. "Prince Schneizel leads the Institute, but from what I know, it is rather secretive… do you think Michael will get something?"
"I've been led to believe that as well. During my time away, it gave me such an indication but I need someone with experience to actually test just how secretive the Institute is," Lelouch responded calmly. "We cannot afford to stay far too behind. Perhaps we might learn something that may be useful. I need to have the Ashford Foundation stepping out of the shadows soon."
If the Liberator came out as the child of the Foundation, the Ashfords would certainly gain some momentum. No doubt, old enemies would try to attack them. But Lelouch was counting for that to happen. If they were rich and involved in Knightmare production, it only help farther his interests if they tried to sabotage the Foundation. He would lay traps for those vultures and once they were caught, he would use them until there was nothing left of them.
"Speaking of your time away," Jeremiah started. Lelouch still hadn't told him many details about his disappearing act. Not even Schneizel seemed to know. Perhaps it also had something to do with how he was able to get Sakuradite delivered for the Ashford Foundation. Before Jeremiah could continue, Lelouch's phone rang.
The 11th Prince looked at it for a long minute before answering it. "Clovis."
"Why such a response, brother? Are you not happy to talk to me?"
Lelouch rolled his eyes. Ever the dramatic member of the Imperial Family. "We were talking not too long ago, Clovis." He reminded his brother.
"I forgot to remind you that I am meeting some of my donors tonight. You can come if you want. Unlike last time, only important people who support the government with various activities and business people will be around."
"I was wondering when you'd tell me about this," Lelouch said.
"You knew?"
"I'm staying with you Clovis and such an event, it isn't exactly private, is it?"
Clovis was silent for a couple of moments before responding. "I guess not," he said. "So, you'll come?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Good… be ready to impress. I will connect you with some people who can help you with your money problems and they talk about Knightmare Frames. I'm sure you'll get along with them just fine…"
"I should hope so," Lelouch said. He didn't wait for Clovis to say anything else before dropping the call. "It is a little unfortunate that Clovis has to share my problems with his people, but I can work around that issue…" he said to himself than his guards. "How did your meeting with Kewell go?"
"Unpleasantly," Jeremiah said with a deep frown. "He blames me for the collapse of the Purist Faction and it is clear that he truly hates me."
That was a burst. Lelouch had been hoping that perhaps he could recruit another skilled pilot into his team. But if Kewell was like that, then he was not needed. He could only bring destabilization into things. "Disappointing," he said. "If we are going to continue with our current trajectory within Military, we will need more skilled Pilots. Before we leave, we ought to start recruiting…"
How long has Lelouch been in Area 11? And all these time, he hasn't been bothered calling. From what Schneizel has learned, his brother has been truly busy. It is not Nunnally that keeps him busy but his other projects. It did bother him that he could never get anything. He knew there was something occurring with the Ashford Foundation but he could not tell what was happening. Well, it was no matter, he would find out sooner or later. Besides, Lelouch was his partner, yes? He could not afford to ask deeply because he too would be obligated to answer some questions about what his brother suspected.
"Denka," Kanon called.
Schneizel glanced at his assistant for a moment before staring at the huge screen in front of him. It was around the appointed time to call his brother. "I've not forgotten, I've just been thinking about something."
"Prince Lelouch?"
Schneizel nodded.
"He seems to occupy your thoughts these days," Kanon noted. "Your association with him is also making some people talk behind you."
"I know who talks behind me and I'd already known who would talk before I even made my choice," Schneizel responded with a slight shrug. "Lelouch is just someone I worry about. He is also proving to be much more resourceful than I actually thought, it is never surprising nevertheless… I'd always known that he is a man who can surpass me one day."
"I used to question that… I still do, but not so much these days… I think that…" Kanon trailed off when the screen blinked. It was the royal line. At this time, it could only be Lelouch calling them. He accepted the call and it was indeed the 11th Prince. Kanon could see him clearly; he sat in what appeared to be an office, but there were no papers on the desk, only a chessboard. He had been moving his pieces.
"I thought something had come up," Lelouch said, he was holding his queen, playing with it with his fingers.
Schneizel shook his head. "Nothing could have been much more important for me to miss this appointment. We have to discuss about our next round of talks with the EU. I did inform you that we would still need to talk to them about the situation in Russia and Portugal."
Lelouch twisted his queen for a couple of moments. He had not forgotten about that meeting. It was a meeting that would once more send him into the public eye. But Lelouch was not complaining. He could use every bit of spotlight at the moment to raise his worth within the Empire.
"Have they reached you on where and when the talks will occur?"
Schneizel nodded. "Only where, we are still sorting out a couple of things before we can decide when. But it will happen any day now. You may have to shorten your time in Area 11 because I'll need to brief you on a couple of things. We also need to talk about what happens afterwards."
"I'm almost done with my business here. I just need to tie down a couple of things tomorrow, and in about three or four days, I should return to Pendragon."
"Make it four days because we will be meeting our siblings then," Schneizel said. He eyed Lelouch, trying to gather a reaction. He got one. Not that Lelouch did try to hide his displeasure.
"Is it mandatory?" He stopped playing with his queen when he asked in a flat tone.
"No, but you have to be there. We are going to have some important discussions. You know that it is the imperial family that controls most parts of Britannia." Schneizel said. "I do hope you will bring you're a-game. I'm not ignorant to the complicated relationship you share with others, but you must control yourself."
Lelouch laughed. "Complicated? That is an amusing way of putting it, brother. But don't worry, I won't be lighting up any fires. I don't need that rivalry to turn its stern gaze on me. I could have some serious problems should things occur in that way…"
Schneizel wasn't going to ask anymore to what his brother was suggesting and what he was not saying. After all, he knew that some people would not mind trying to sabotage Lelouch. Killing him would be dangerous. So, sabotage would be the first step many would take.
"I'm glad you understand," Schneizel said. "Military Command has been discussing your next deployment."
"And?"
"They have been thinking of trying to test if whether your victory in Portugal was not a mere fluke or if I really didn't do anything to assist you."
Lelouch smiled. "By that, your hands are tied in trying to speak for me…"
"Indeed," Schneizel nodded. "I can only allow them to do as they think. If I try to defend you, they'll think you can't do anything. If they select a difficult task and I say it is too dangerous, they'll have more reasons to put you under the command someone incompetent."
"Hardly surprising," Lelouch said. He knew things would not be so easy. "What are the possibilities?"
"Northern Africa came up, I haven't been up to date what they have discussed. It will all come after we have finished the matter with the EU as I have booked out of Military duty to handle political matters. You will nevertheless still move with Major Albert's unit. This is as far as my involvement goes in your case."
"Thanks for the warning," Lelouch said. That just meant that he had to prepare for whatever would come his way. Certainly, not the ideal working conditions, but how else would he make miracles if not for difficult situations? "Northern Africa won't be bad. I guess I have to ramp up my things here…" he said.
"I trust you will be ready because you will need it," Schneizel said. "What is happening with the Ashford girl?"
"What do you think is happening?"
"You are considering marrying her… otherwise you would not have forced that statement about a rumored marriage agreement between the Ashfords and Vi Britannia. You just laid the groundwork just in case you end up deciding to do so and that nobody is surprised about it. While I do not approve of your choice, I must still applaud your strategy."
Lelouch was not going to deny anything. "You don't approve because of the enemies the Ashfords would get…"
"Yes… and the biggest threat comes from our father. He was the one who stripped them of everything. Trying to make them regain the noble status that they lost would mean that you are opposing father."
Lelouch smiled. "That is merely your interpretation to the matter. What if father approved?"
Schneizel was silent for a couple of moments. It was possible for their father to approve, as long as he was not doing anything about it. But there would have to be merit in it for their father to approve. And in the end no one would question their father, but if anyone asked, he was probably going to spin it around and say something along the lines of 'their noble blood and being Britannians is what made them prosper even after everything.' That would only further his ideology and he might even add that he had been merely testing them to see if they could survive.
"What are you really working on with the Ashfords? Whatever it is, it has to be big… because you plan to use that to give people reason to consider them as having returned to the elite. If they do something big, they don't become normal, no, they are able to sit with nobles even though are no longer of noble status…"
Lelouch just smiled. "We will talk when I return brother… I am not in the business of doing something reckless that would destroy everything. So, you can be at ease. I have noted your disapproval of any marriage between myself and Milly." Lelouch cut off the line after saying that.
"Long games?" Schneizel asked himself. The strategies Lelouch were using now were certainly to benefit him for now and the future ahead. He wasn't doing anything to gain quick victories that would only last for a moment. But still, if there was something Schneizel could do and he had already made plans.
Later That Night
The hall was packed with nobles and military people from the Britannia system within this area and some from Homeland. It seemed that Clovis had truly spread the word around and moreover, he wanted to show him just how much of a backing he has within this area. These were all the Viceroy's people. They clapped when he spoke and laughed when he made a joke, even when it was not funny. Upon arriving, Lelouch had felt that perhaps this had been a wrong time for him. He'd even brought Milly along with him.
"You're looking slightly, nervous," Milly said, her eyes moving around the hall. She could not see anyone she knew. Some had even brought their daughters with them. And some with their sons. It was indeed a night of networking and striking up business opportunities.
"I cannot afford to leave this hall without a customer," Lelouch said. And he was afraid that Schneizel might have also had a hand in this. "We probably won't spend much time together. I'm likely going to be dragged from corner to corner."
"That is a little disappointing," Milly said. "When you called, I was thinking something romantic."
Lelouch stared.
Milly grinned. "You don't have to be so stiff. No wonder you are nervous. You should get a glass of wine, maybe you'll loosen up a little," she said, smiling.
"I'm not stiff and I have no plans in intoxicating myself," Lelouch responded a bit quickly. "While you are alone, entertain whoever asks about some of the projects the Ashford Foundation is doing with me."
"But I don't even know what you are doing."
Lelouch smiled. "That is the good part about it," he said. "If you are going to stay by my side, you'll need to master these kind of nights. Work your way around it. And the good thing about not knowing the details means that you don't have to try hard to hide the truth. You can just make things up but don't try too hard."
"Oh, you're thinking about me being by your side? Why didn't you say something like that before? And whoever said I would need to be by your side and play your games?"
"Are you going to do this or not? If not, I can call your grandfather and have him come."
Milly sighed. "You want me to lie… you owe me," she said staring at Lelouch. "And I will collect what is due to me…"
Before Lelouch could say anything, Clovis walked right up to them. He was with a long black haired young woman in a dark blue dress. She wore a diamond necklace and earrings. Her eyes were black, and she stood as tall as Prince Clovis. Milly had to admit, she looked rather beautiful. As they neared, she put on a fresh smile.
"Prince Clovis…" She greeted the Prince.
"Milly," Clovis was a bit casual. He took her hand and kissed it before speaking. "I asked myself the last time what Lelouch saw in you, but seeing you again, I must say, I can see why he keeps bringing you to such events," he said with a smile.
"You flatter me, Your Highness."
Clovis waved it off. "You owe me a dance tonight. I must find out more why my brother likes you," he said.
"It would be a pleasure."
There was no way to turn down a request to dance from the Third Prince. But Milly already knew, despite his smiles and flattering, Clovis didn't approve. It was simply a matter of her being a former noble. Getting with together Lelouch was surely going to be difficult. If Clovis didn't approve, it also meant that the Second Prince didn't approve as well. The thought dampened her mood slightly. It didn't get any better when she realized that Clovis probably brought this woman for Lelouch.
"Brother," Clovis started. "This is Miss Allison Bennett… She is the daughter of Lord Bennett. He is a member of the House of Lords…"
Lelouch turned his eyes into the young woman. This was not Clovis, was it? No, his brother was not too smart to do something like this. Or maybe he had done so. The only person who had real reasons to stop his plans was Schneizel. When his brother had brought up the Milly subject, it was perhaps to confirm if he should do with his plans or not. He hated this. And he had warned his brother about this.
Yet, he was forced to smile.
"Miss Bennett," Lelouch greeted with a warm smile.
"Please call me Allison, Your Highness."
Lelouch just smiled and held out his right hand. Alisson brought out hers and he took it. "Come, let us go somewhere private where you'll tell me just what my brother has been saying about me… I'd like to correct it quickly…" he said in a light tone.
Allison smiled. "He only said good things," she said. "Very good things…"
"That is what I wish to correct," Lelouch said calmly. "Don't you know? Within the family, they call me the Black Prince… I'm sure my brother has actually told you things about a white Prince."
"Well, why don't you enlighten me about the Black Prince?"
"Shall we?"
Milly watched Lelouch leave. Their eyes met, he offered her a smile. She didn't respond to it. She was honestly surprised that Lelouch knew how to play around like that. He never acted like a 'boy' when he was with her. He didn't seem to much less understand women but yet when he meets another woman, he starts pulling out a magic ward. There was certainly something wrong with that picture. She regretted not returning his smile when she realized that it was not who Lelouch was and he was certainly going to complain about it later.
"That is just one of few candidates Lelouch will meet tonight. Knowing him, he is going to be very resistant, but surely one will go past that mask," Clovis said to Milly. "You'll have to stick with me tonight. I'll introduce you to some people and we can talk about your relationship with my brother…" he was smiling when he said those words.
"I don't really want to make people jealous by being seen with his Highness the night…"
Clovis waved it off. "If that is the case, I'll introduce you to some people who might interest you…" he said smiling.
Milly almost cursed herself for allowing such an opportunity. Lelouch often dismissed Clovis as an idiot, but he was certainly not an idiot. He was just not a genius like Lelouch. The one area that Clovis excelled at was playing around with people. When it came to words and reading the mood, he was rather good at it, wasn't he? He was good with people… Lelouch was not. But admittedly, that exchange completely caught her off-guard.
Milly breathed in the air around gardens within the Viceroy's Palace. It was truly just like Aries Villa. It was indeed true that Lelouch and Clovis had shared a brotherly bond. She had even seen some portraits of Lelouch's mother within the passages. If not for the weariness she felt, Milly would have been smiling, content that she was at a place so refreshing.
Everything had been tiring. She had never been forced to be on physically and mentally guard for such long periods in her life. There were different kinds of people, and many of them were just snakes. She'd thought she seen it all when she was still meeting prospective husbands. But she had not. Some men in there were just repulsive. She'd been forced to contain herself from lashing out as some for saying some nasty things about her family.
She glanced at Lelouch for a moment. He hadn't said anything since they arrived here. He hadn't had a pleasant look when he pulled her way. The people were probably departing by now. Some had already left when they departed the hall.
"Tell me your night was as not as bad as mine…" Milly said, breaking the ice.
Lelouch looked up for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't think it was as bad as your but not pleasant either."
"Not as bad?"
"I know… I was watching."
Milly became silent. She hadn't noticed. Perhaps she had been too busy watching over her shoulders and what she said to note anything about him. He had looked to disappear from her.
"If I had known, I wouldn't have brought you. I'm sorry." He meant it and Milly knew.
Milly smiled. Had it been a miserable, night? Yes, but she didn't regret coming here. She had learned some valuables lessons. Nobles were all about this. She had known just how some nobles were like. She has been seeing it in her time in this area. It was one of the reasons that made her decide that being a noble was not worth it. There was nothing fun about it. It was no wonder that although being a Prince, Lelouch dreaded returning that he ended up living a normal life, working away by gambling. She had still loved that Lelouch. Still, before her eyes, he has always been a Prince. That was who he was, wasn't it?
"You need not apologize. I admit it was hard, but I learned. Next time, it won't be so hard…" Milly said with a smile.
Lelouch faced her with a raised brow. "Who said there was going to be a next time?"
"What? Don't tell me that you only brought me here just so you could make me leave you alone?"
"If I thought getting rid of you would be that easy, I'd have done that last time I was here," Lelouch responded in a flat tone. "But I am not taking you anywhere, not anytime soon. This has achieved its purpose. We should tone it down…"
Milly folded her hands across her bust. "Do I still get to visit Aries Villa?"
"If you are not going to make a fuss about it," Lelouch said. "I had a long night, making conversations that I never want to have again. Let us not talk about this…"
"So, I'm guessing you didn't meet anyone you liked… Your brother is going to be disappointed. And you seemed to be doing so well."
"That was only a show to him. If he didn't think I was making effort, he would never stop until I made effort," Lelouch responded a bit sharply. He shook his head. "Jeremiah will take you back home, I need to rest up; there is much to do tomorrow."
"Can I stay here?"
"No…"
"I was asking you just to be polite." Milly said. "By the way, it seems that I made such a good impression on your brother, he asked to see me alone some time…"
Lelouch didn't offer a response. He just turned away from Milly and started to walk away, forcing her to follow. Jeremiah was waiting for them, having been watching. "Ask someone to prepare a room for Milly and make sure its locked. I don't want her causing problems in the morning…" he said to Jeremiah. He then faced Milly. "A change of clothes?"
She smiled.
"You want to be a dear and go buy for me now? You're a Prince, if you call any shop, they'll open for you."
Lelouch didn't honor this with a response; he just walked away.
"What, you're not even going to kiss me good night, or even just say good night?" Milly called out while Lelouch was walking away.
The Following Morning
Click
It was the sound that snapped Lelouch out of his sleepiness. His eyes snapped open at the sound and they immediately went wide. Milly was lying next to him, hair all messed up, her phone was just above. He heard another click as she snapped a photo. She had been taking pictures while he slept.
"Milly!"
Lelouch tried to snatch the phone but she quickly shifted away, and moved out of the bed. Lelouch glared at her. How had she even gotten into his room? His room was never locked because Jeremiah needed to be able to come in and go in case there was an emergency. Where was Jeremiah even at this time? Why was she even in her night gowns at this time? Where had she even gotten those?
Milly looked at the picture with a smile. Lelouch honestly looked peaceful when he was sleeping. It was still a good picture. It was just perfect. And it was good material for blackmail. She grinned slyly at the thought.
"What are you thinking about, Milly?"
"Oh, nothing… I just thought this was a good picture…" she said, smiling. "What would happen if this ever got out in public… or if Princess Cornelia saw it? I could add a caption, a morning after a night of ecstasy with Prince Lelouch…"
Lelouch had to shiver just thinking about what Cornelia would try to do to him. Milly must have taken a suggestive picture. He didn't even want to think about what that image was suggesting. "What would happen if that picture got into press?"
Milly shrugged. "It won't…" she said confidently. "But some people might see it."
"Delete it Milly. Someone could hack your phone. Anything can happen and I will be ruined!"
Milly shook her head. She placed the phone around her chest, and smiled sadly. "Last night made me realize that things might not actually work the way I want. And should that happen, I won't have anything… can I have this as my memory?"
Ashford Academy
"Traitor!"
Milly blinked when she heard that sharp word from Shirley. The girl was glaring at her. She hadn't been able to say anything when she walked into the Student Council room. She noticed that Euphy was around, so was Rivalz. But there was no sign for Nina. Since Lelouch was around. She figured that the girl had gone with the Prince to talk about their secretive work. Milly turned back her attention to Shirley.
She honestly felt bad. She cursed the fact that news travelled quickly. Still, Shirley seemed rather positive about what she was accusing her. This was not the way that she wanted to deal with things. How did she go about it? She had clearly told Shirley that there was nothing happening between her and Lelouch – even though that had been a lie. Perhaps then she thought nothing would happen. Nothing was indeed happening then. And technically, nothing was happening now. Lelouch had not said anything to her. There were just hints, there and there. And neither wanted to speak it aloud. Still, nothing could still occur because of the politics within the imperial family. Clovis had made that clear to last night.
Milly honestly didn't want to see Shirley hurt. She didn't want for things to happen this way. Perhaps she should have made things clear from the start. It could have been better now.
"Can we talk privately, Shirley?"
"About what, President?! You told me there was nothing between you and Lulu. But that isn't true, isn't it? You went out with him last night. And I came to see you earlier, but you went home… which means you only returned this morning!"
Was she an investigator now? Milly could not say that staying at the Viceroy's Palace was a bad decision. No, she didn't regret it at all. She had managed to get something valuable after all.
"Please, Shirley…" Milly begged.
"You lied to me! I asked you nicely and you said there was nothing. But you were lying to me!" Shirley stormed out of the room with tears running down her cheeks.
Milly could do nothing to stop her. She turned her eyes to Rivalz. She certainly wasn't going to listen to her. But someone could try to talk.
"Fine, fine…" Rivalz said in a subdued tone. "I will go to her…"
That was another problem there. Rivalz had always liked her. She had known. But both had known that nothing would ever come out it… so they never spoke about it. But now with things occurring like this, unrequited love was showing its ugly face. Lelouch didn't love Shirley either. Hell, he wouldn't even be thinking about marriage if people were not forcing him to think about it. He hadn't never been interested in any girl that was not Nunnally. He didn't love her either. He never looked at her with the same eyes he looked at his younger sisters after all.
Such a sad thing, love was.
"My brother is rather popular around here," Euphy said, staring at Milly.
"He was popular even before they knew he was a Prince." Milly said in a quiet tone. This was not something she wanted to talk about with Euphy, but she could not quite walk away from it, could she? If Lelouch's sisters said they didn't approve, nothing would happen. "Girls seemed to like that detached, mysterious air he carried all around."
"I can imagine and I understand," Euphy said with a smile. "Lulu is a bit special."
Milly blinked, surprised.
But she didn't get to say anything as Euphy asked in a rather serious tone.
"So what is happening between you and my brother? I know you didn't return last night. If Lelouch had returned, he would not have come and here and left without checking in on Nunnally."
"If Lord Jeremiah brought me here?"
Euphy smiled. "From what I have seen and what Nunnally says about you; you would have demanded that Lelouch bring you back home," she said.
"You have me there…" Milly said in a quiet tone. Was she really going to talk about this with someone else? When talking to Clovis, she had managed to get away from the subject. It was quite simply steering the conversation away with the Third Prince. But looking at those determined eyes of the Third Princess, it was obvious that it would not be so easy. She didn't talk about this subject even with Nunnally or her grandfather… and even more so in a clear way with Lelouch.
"Lelouch is considering marrying me… but we are not in a relationship," she said the last part with a bit of frustration. "Nothing might actually happen… that is why I don't talk about it and why I told Shirley that there was nothing happening…" there was now nothing but bitterness in Milly's tone.
Euphy didn't mistake the bitterness. She knew that Nunnally loved Milly. She had said it to even Lelouch more than once that she would not mind if he married her. But the finally answer didn't lie with her brother, did it? Milly seemed to understand this much. Something must have happened last night that made it more apparent to her.
"You really do like my brother as Nunnally says you do," Euphy said as she walked toward Milly. It was a sad thing. But what could be done about it? Euphy could only hug Milly. "It must be sad for you… frustrating even. I can understand… you don't really have any other friends to talk to about this. You're forced to keep it to yourself." She smiled sadly, while still embracing Milly. "I know the feeling, and I hate it. In Pendragon, I don't have anyone I can call a friend, and I can't talk to Cornelia about anything because she will get mad and she isn't always around. That's why I like being here. I know that Lelouch can ignore things at times. His affections are admittedly reserved for his sisters… Milly, if you need someone you want to talk to talk to, I am here to listen."
That concludes chapter 15
I will try to send chapter 16 within the next seven days. My focus had been on my other story, but I have worked on a couple of chapters for that one. I'll try to do some chapters for this and see where it leads.
The Omnipresent Sage
